We recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Positive Coaching Alliance webinar, “From Players to Leaders: Empowering Athletes to Lead on and Off the Field.” Our Executive Director, Caroline, and Program Manager, Emily, joined a dynamic panel of speakers to share their experiences and highlight the work Strive is doing to develop leadership skills in local youth while providing resources to underserved communities.
This engaging session focused on strategies to build confidence, foster teamwork, and create a positive influence both on and off the field. The panel included our very own Caroline and Emily, alongside Dominique Curry, a former NFL player and Program Director at Philadelphia Sport Collaborative; Reggie Garcia, Community Engagement Manager at Positive Coaching Alliance; and Daycia McClam from Positive Coaching Alliance.
Caroline kicked off the discussion by sharing her journey as a former college soccer player. She provided valuable insights into how the lessons she learned on the field helped shape her career beyond collegiate sports. Emily followed with her own story, discussing her path from collegiate athletics to her current role at Strive. She offered empowering advice, reflecting on how believing in herself more and persevering through challenges as an athlete would have made a difference in her personal growth.Drawing laughs from the panel, Caroline shared how perseverance played a big role in her journey, poking fun at herself as a “5ft-ish” tall soccer goalkeeper who had to overcome challenges both big and small.
The discussion also touched on critical topics such as managing and compensating coaches fairly – something that is important to us at Strive. The panelists shared thoughtful approaches to training and recruiting coaches, reinforcing the crucial role coaches play in youth development. Hearing these insights resonated with us, as we continue to prioritize supporting and empowering those who guide young athletes.
A thank you to the Positive Coaching Alliance for hosting this incredible webinar and to our fellow panelists for sharing their expertise. Together, we’re making strides in empowering the next generation of leaders on and off the field!
